Korai

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɔːɹaɪ/

Definitions

1. Refers to plural forms of maiden sculptures from ancient Greek art known for their detailed representation of young women; denotes multiple young women or maidens collectively; signifies several classical statues characterized by their youthful female depiction
2. Indicates a group of female youths in historical Greek contexts often portrayed in statue form; applies to more than one unmarried young woman; represents multiple statues of maidens from archaic periods in art history
3. Describes numerous sculpted figures of adolescent females from ancient Greek culture; collectively names unmarried young females; identifies several iconic archaic sculptures symbolizing youth and feminine beauty

Etymology: Korai is the plural of "kore", a word that comes from the Ancient Greek "kórē", meaning "girl" or "maiden". The Greek noun was an ordinary term for a young unmarried woman, and its plural "korai" is the form used when speaking of more than one. The English word is used almost exclusively by art historians and archaeologists. It names the long, standing female statues carved in Greece during the Archaic period, roughly the seventh to sixth centuries BCE, which were typically dedicated at sanctuaries such as the Acropolis in Athens. Their upright posture, rigid frontal stance, and elaborate hairstyles and drapery make them easy to recognise, and the Greek noun they take their name from shows that the statues were understood as representations of young women rather than as gods themselves.

Synonyms: kore statues, archaic female statues